Separable sadiron assemblage



April 1 1947. wn- 2,418,285

SEPARABLE SODIRON ASSEMBLAGE Filed Sept. 4, 1945 Sheets-Sheet l l /7 Ma IN V EN TOR.

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April 1, 1947. wn-zEL 2,418,285

SEPARABLE SODIRON ASSEMBLAGE Filed Sept. 4, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 JNVENTOR. W 8 (/7 (9 mime/L,

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Patented Apr. 1, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEPARABLE SADIRON ASSEm-LAGE Ernst Witzel, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Milsteel Products (30., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of'Wisconsin Application: September 4, 19.45, Serial -No.614,16,0

(o1; 'sssa) Claiins. 1

The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of fabricating household appliances, and relatesmore specifically to improvements in the construction and operation of electrically heated fiat irons or the like.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved so-called electric flat iron which is simple and durable construction and highly efficient in operation.

Many difierent types and styles of electrically heated pressing irons haveheretofore been proposedand some of them have been sold and used quite extensively, but all of these prior devices are objectionable'for diversereasons. Some of the priorelectric irons, are-relatively complicated and cumbersome thus making them difiicult to operate and to. manipulate; while others: fail to provide for convenient access to. internal parts, and are also dangerous toqthe user and as a fire hazard. Still others of the prior electrically heated iron, assemblages are costly to manufacture and most of the previous household electric flat irons are therefor inadequate or objectionable for one or more specific reasons.

It is therefore a more specific object of this invention to provide an improved electric iron assemblage which obviatesall of the-above-mentioned objectionable features, and which may be readily, manufactured, conveniently assembled or dismantled, and safely manipulated.

A further specific object of my invention is to provide an improved electric sad iron composed of relatively few sturdy parts which arenormally rigidly united, but which may also be quickly and easily disconnected so as to expose normally concealed mechanisms.

:Still another specific object of the invention-is to providea relatively light but exceedingly'strong fiatiron assemblage which is highly: attractive in appearance.

An additional specific'object of this invention is to provide an improved manipulating handle for electric ironsor the like, which'protects the operator from exposure to hightheat;

.Another specific object of my invention is to provide a simple ironing assemblage. which may bemanufactured and sold at moderate cost, and which is easily operable and safely manipulable by a novice.

These and'other'specificobjects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description,

A clear conception of the several features constituting my present improvement, and of the through the typical electric ironof Fig. 1,;

mode of constructing. and of utilizing electric Fig. 3 is a rear end view of the same iron, having a portion of the rear name plate broken away so as to reveal normallyconcealedinternal structure;

Fig. 4 is a slightlyenlarged transverse vertical section taken through the front heat adjusting mechanism of'the improved iron assemblage; and

Fig; 5 is a similarly enlarged transverse vertical section taken through the rear conductor cord portion of the same assembly.

Although the invention has been shown and describedherein as being especially applicable to a typical electrically heated household type of flatiron, it is not my desire or intent to 'unneces sarilyrestrict the utility of the improved features by virtue'of this specific and limited disclosure; and it is also my intention that specific terms used herein be given the broadest possible meaning and interpretation consistent with the prior art.

Referring to the drawings, the typical elec- I t-rically heated flat iron shown therein, comprises ingeneral ashoe or sole plate'lhaving a heating coil B embedded directly therein adjacent to it's work engaging lower face 9; a thermostatically controlled heat regulating switch H firmly but detachably mounted upon theuppermedial portion of the sole plate l bymeans of one or more screws 1 l; a moundshaped sheet-metalbodylZ having a lower rim l3 coacting withthe upper peripheral portion of the sole plate 1, and being provided with an inner cent'ralbracket or strap 14 the lower central portion of which has an integral tapered ferrule l5 coacting with 9, lug IIBfo-rmed' integral with-the soleplate 1; an-elongated body and sole plate uniting screw rod I l normally confined within a central recess 1-8 formed Iin the topof the sole plate 1, andhaving a reduced threaded end 19 ccactable withthe' ferrule I 5 and lug l6; a heat insulated manipulating handle 2-9 having a medial grip portion-21, a lateral'thumb rest 22', and an integral downwardly projectingrear iron supporting and contacthousing wall23; and also being providedwith' lower bosses 2-4 adapted for atachment to the top of the body 12" with theaid o'f normally c'cncealed screws 25; a heat adjusting wheel or dial 26 .rotatably suspended within the front portion of the handle 2% and being coo-perable with the ing3l.

The shoe or sole plate 1 is relatively pointed at its forward end, widest at its medial portion, and converges toward its rear end, and may be formed of cast metal with the electrically energized heating coil 8 embedded directly therein during the casting operation. The periphery of this sole plate I also preferably tapers downwardly and outwardly in order to provide asmooth lower work engaging face 9 of maximum area; and the lower rim 9 of the casing or body l2-may be caused to coact with local nibs or projections 32 formed on the sole plate I as shown in Fig. 3, in order to facilitate firm clamping of the body to the sole plate with the aid of the single central clamping rod H. The upper surface of the sole plate I is also provided with a top plate 33 formed of heat insulating material and secured to the shoe in any suitable manner, and this plate 33spans the rod confining recess I8 but is cut away in the locality of the thermostatic switch 10, see Figs. 2, 4 and 5.

v The switch and terminal housing and handle supporting casing or body I2 is formed of relav tively thin and lightfbut durable sheet-metal,

and. may be readily produced with the aid of punches and dies, and the inner attaching strap l4 may also be formed of sheet-metal and is rigidly secured to the upper inner medial portion of the body l2 as by welding or riveting. The tapered ferrule l5 which is formed integral with the lower'extremity of the strap I4, is formed to snugly engage a similarly tapered socket in the sole plate lug l6, and electrical conductors '36 may be located on opposite sides of the relatively narrow strap l4 without danger of contacting this strap. As previously indicated, the screw clamping rod H is snugly rotatably confined within the sole plate recess l8 beneath the plate 33, and the front end I9 of the rod 11 is of reduced diameter and has screw thread coaction with the lug l6, strap ferrule l5 and sole plate, so that the lower rim It or the casing body 12 may be readily firmly clamped against the local sole plate nibs 32 by merely applying a screw driver to the slotted outer end of the rod I! and screwing. the threaded end 19 thereof into the boss 16 through the ferrule l5. The electrical switch and other mechanism may thus be effectively confined within the space between the sole plate I andbody, [2, but the body may be just as easily removed to permit access to the normally confined structure. The manipulating handle 26 is preferably formed of plastic, wood or other suitable heat insulating material which will not readily conduct excessive heat to the grip and thumb portions 2l,-22, and the front of the handle is provided with a relatively deep recess within which the dial 20 is normally disposed, while the rear wall 23 which is formed integral with the handle 28 also provides a deep recess Within which the electrical connections are normally confined, see Figs. 2, 4 and 5. The attaching bosses 24 are likewise formed integral with the handle 28, and there are three of these bosses 24, each of which is provided with a metallic screw threaded socket with which the handle attaching screws 25 coact. The handle 20 may obviously be firmly secured to the upper portion of the sheet metal body l2 with the aid of the screws 25 and sockets 35, but this can be accomplished only when the body i2 has been removed from the sole plate 1, since the heads of the fastening screws 25 are normally totally confined within the body. The handle 26 is also of artistically streamlined construction; and the integral rear wall 23 is provided with three iron supporting legs 36 for supporting the iron assemblage when not in use, and is also provided with a rear opening normally closed by a plate 31 which is removably attached to the Wall 23 with the aid of screws 38.

The combined thermostat and electrical control switch it] may be of any suitable and well known type with which the rotary adjusting stem 21 is cooperable to vary the current delivered to the heater or coil 8 in accordance with the requirements for the particular type of fabric which is to be ironed or pressed. This switch l0 constitutes no specific part of my present invention, and as previously indicated, the switch and thermostat are mounted directly upon the sole plate l where they will be most sensitive to changes in temperature of the sole plate as created by the heating coil 8. The lower screw threaded end 39 of the adjusting stem 21 is 00- operable with a fixed internally threaded member 49 and carries a pin M which cooperates with the switch It in a manner whereby rotation of the stem 2'1 will move the pin il either up or down, and will thereby produce the desired switch'and thermostat adjustment,'see Fig. 4. The upper extremity E2 of the stem 21 is serrated for coaction with internal serrations within the hub of the bifurcated or forked element 28, so that the element 28 may be applied to the stem end 42 in various angular positions, and the element 28 is applicable to the stem externally of the main casing body [2. a a

The adjusting wheel or dial 26 has calibration markings for the various types of fabrics, and is rotatably suspended from within the handle 26 by means of an inverted screw 43 coacting with a socket 114 embedded in the handle and coacting with a central bore of thedial, and thedial 28 is also provided with several eccentric'holes 45 with which the prongs or tines of the bifurcated element 28 are loosely cooperable, see Figs. 2 and 4. A helical spring 46 is interposed between the dial 26 and the hub of the element 28in order to maintain the latter upon the stem end 42 and to eliminate looseness of parts; and the assemblage is obviously such that when the dial 26 is rotated upon its bearing screw 43, in either direction, rotary motion will be transmitted through the element 28 to the stem 21 and this stem will coact with the screw threads oflthe fixed member 40 so as to move the pin 4i up or' dowmthereby effecting the desired adjustment of the pre-set thermostatic. switch l0. a

The switch I6 is connected in series with the electric heating coil 8 by means of conductors 34' and the terminal assembly 29 associated with the rear portion of the sole plate I, and this assembly 29 comprises a pair of terminal attaching plates 41 secured to insulating blocks 48 resting 'upon the sole plate I, as indicated in Figs. 2'and 5.

The opposite ends of the heating coil 8 are connectedto the terminal'plates 41 in serieswith the switch it! in an obvious manner, and the cur-,. rent; conductors or wirest3il are: attachable tothe plates 41 by means of screws 49. These attaching screws "49 are freely accessible through the opening inthe rear wall 2 3 of the handle upon removal dithe -closure plate 3! and screws 38, andthe conductors 31] maybe snugly confined within an elbow conduit 50 detachably secured totheinner end ofthe flexible elongated bushing 3|.

When assembling the improved electric fiat iron, after the various parts have, been properly constructed, the insulating plate :33; and thermostatic switchJJl. may be readily attached to the sole plate fin an obvious manner, and the switch should'rbe initially set to operate properly for predetermined variations in temperature to which the thermostat may be subjected. The bushing 3-1 and wires 3t should alsobe initially applied to the handle 20. The dial :26;.may thenebeaP- plied within and mounted upon the handlelfl with the aid of the screw43, and the bifurcated element 28 and spring should then be applied to the diam-B with the prongs of the element .28 loosely but slid-ably engaging the holes 45. The casing I 2 should thereafter be attached to the handle 20 with the aid of the screws so as to hold the dial 26, element 28, and spring 46 in assembled condition. The thermostat of the switch should then be placed in off position, and the dial 26 should also be held by the assembler in off position, where-upon the serrated upper end 42 of the stem 21 Which is mounted upon the sole plate 1, may be passed through the upper front opening in the casing or body l2, and slipped into the internally serrated hub of the element 28 to provide a positive driving connection between.

the dial 26 and the stem 2?. The sole plate 1 may then be finally secured to the body l2 with the aid of the clamping rod H in order to conceal the switch It, and since the bushing 3! and the conducting Wires have been properly applied to the handle 26, the conducting wires may be secured to the terminal plates 41 either before the casing 12 is clamped to the sole plate 1, or through the opening in the rear wall 23 of the handle with the aid of the screws 49. The iron assembly may thus be readily assembled, but it may also be just as conveniently dismantled.

During normal operation of the improved electric iron, the operator may grip the handle portion 24 and may rest hi or her thumb upon the thumb plate 22. The operator may also conveniently adjust the wheel or dial 25 so as to insure proper heating of the sole plate l to temperatures corresponding to the work to be done, and this Wheel or dial 25 may be quickly adjusted to entirely disconnect the current. If the operator desires to discontinue the use of the iron, he or she may rest the same upon the rear legs 36 of the handle 20, thus suspending the sole plate l in midair and eliminating necessity of provlding a special insulated support for the iron.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be apparent that my present invention provides an improved electrically heated iron which besides being simple and durable in construction is highly effective in normal use and may be readily assembled or dismantled.

The improved method of attaching the body l2 to the sole plate 1 positively eliminates hideous exposed screws and furthermore protects the operator against excessive heat. The use of the single clamping screw I1 cooperating with the bracket [4 and lug I6 of the body l2 and sole plate 1 respectively, makes it possible to quickly and readily separate these parts with the aid of an ordinary screwdriver and with minimum loss of time; and bycausing thebodyl 2'tocoac't with localnibs 3-2 only of the shoe 1 minimum transfor of heat fromthesole plate to the body takes place. The single screw rod I'Tcooperating with the local -nibs 32 and withthe tapered ferrule -'I 5 insures firm attachment of thebody" |2= tothe shoe 1-; andthe length of the bracket I 4 maybe readily varied 'to insure such proper clamping effect.

The improved mode of constructing and handling and of attaching the "handle to the body l2, also simplifies the construction, andkby providing the legs 36 directly upon the handle-2 0 the firehazard is greatly reduced when the iron is not in use and the current is permitted-to remain on, The attachment of; the handle 20 to'the body H by concealedscrews, also enhances the appearance of the iron assemblage and irrsures rigid interconnection of these parts, and the provision of the detachable plate 3.1" at the rear wall 23. of the handle 20; makesit'possible to] quickly attach or detach the conducting "wires 3 The entire assemblage is obviously highly aesthetic in appearance and can be manufactured and sold at moderate cost because of the avoidance of complicated structure and mechanism. It should, however, be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of use, herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A fiat iron comprising, a work engaging shoe having a plate secured to its upper surface, 'a hollow body having a peripheral rim coacting with the periphery of said shoe and being provided with a central bracket depending through said plate and having an opening therein below the plate, and a single clamping screw rod journalled for'rotation between said plate and said shoe and coacting with said bracket opening to firmly but detachably unite said body and said shoe.

2. A flat iron comprising, a work engaging shoe having a plate secured to its top, a hollow body having a lower peripheral rim coactin with the peripheral portion of said shoe and also having a central bracket depending from its upper portion and provided with an opening beneath said plate, said shoe also having a socket alineable with said opening, and a single clamping screw rod J'0ur-- nalled for rotation between said plate and said shoe and coacting with said bracket opening and with said shoe socket to firmly but detachably unite said body and said shoe.

3. A flat iron comprising, a flat work engaging shoe having a central lug providedwith a socket extending longitudinally of the shoe, an inverted cup-shaped sheet-metal body having a lower peripheral rim coacting with the periperal portion of said shoe and also having a central sheetmetal bracket depending from its upper portion and provided with an opening bounded by a tapered surface and alineable with said shoe socket, and a single clamping rod normally concealed by said body but being manipulable through the rear portion of said shoe and coacting with said bracket surface and with said shoe socket to firmly but detachably unite said body and said shoe, said rod having Wedging coaction with said bracket surface and screw thread coaction with said lug socket.

, 4'. A flat iron comprising, a fiat work engaging shoe having a central screwthreaded socket and a groove extending from the rear open end'of the socket to the rear end of the shoe, a hollow body peripherally engaging said shoe and having a central bracket depending into said groove and provided with an opening alineable with said socket, and a clamping rod journalled for rotation in said groove and having its forward end cooperable with said socket and said opening to unite said body and said shoe while its rear end is accessible for manipulation through the open rear end of said groove. r g

V 5. A flat iron comprising, a flat work engaging shoe having a central horizontally extending rearwardly open socket and also having an elongated rearwardly open recess disposed in axial alinement with said socket, an inverted cup-shaped body having a lower peripheral rim coacting with the peripheral portion of said shoe and also having a central depending bracket provided with an opening alineable with said socket and recess, and a single clamping rod journalled for rotation within said recess and coacting with said bracket opening and with said socket to firmly but detachably unite said body and said shoe, said rod being manipulable through the rearwardly open end of said recess. v

' ERNST WITZEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS' Number 

